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arXiv:astro-ph/0011393 (astro-ph)
[Submitted on 21 Nov 2000]

Title:A Large Eddy Simulation of Turbulent Compressible Convection: Differential Rotation in the Solar Convection Zone

Authors:Francis J. Robinson (Yale University), Kwing L. Chan (The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)
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Abstract: We present results of two simulations of the convection zone, obtained by solving the full hydrodynamic equations in a section of a spherical shell. The first simulation has cylindrical rotation contours (parallel to the rotation axis) and a strong meridional circulation, which traverses the entire depth. The second simulation has isorotation contours about mid-way between cylinders and cones, and a weak meridional circulation, concentrated in the uppermost part of the shell.
We show that the solar differential rotation is directly related to a latitudinal entropy gradient, which pervades into the deep layers of the convection zone. We also offer an explanation of the angular velocity shear found at low latitudes near the top. A non-zero correlation between radial and zonal velocity fluctuations produces a significant Reynolds stress in that region. This constitutes a net transport of angular momentum inwards, which causes a slight modification of the overall structure of the differential rotation near the top. In essence, the {\it thermodynamics controls the dynamics through the Taylor-Proudman momentum balance}. The Reynolds stresses only become significant in the surface layers, where they generate a weak meridional circulation and an angular velocity `bump'.
Comments: 11 pages, 14 figures, the first figure was too large and is excluded. Accepted for publication in MNRAS
Subjects: Astrophysics (astro-ph)
Cite as: arXiv:astro-ph/0011393
  (or arXiv:astro-ph/0011393v1 for this version)
  https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.astro-ph/0011393
Journal reference: Mon.Not.Roy.Astron.Soc. 321 (2001) 723
Related DOI: https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-8711.2001.04036.x

Submission history

From: Linghuai Li [view email]
[v1] Tue, 21 Nov 2000 17:35:32 UTC (85 KB)
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